Dear Sven,

We used a soil conditioner from the tip rather than the topsoil on our new lawn which we put down a few months ago. The problem is that the lawn has now become infested with white, brownish and silvery mushrooms! They are quite pretty actually, but I am worried about them harming our new lawn. Should we be doing something to get rid of them and will they get worse if we don't do something about them now?

Thanks,

Jacqui

Our Gardens Expert replies:

Dear Jacqui,

There are only two real problems with mushrooms growing in your lawn: aesthetic and their potential toxicity if you have children!

Mushrooms and fungi feed on rotting matter. It seems to me that the compost you imported contained the spores of some kind of mushroom or fungus (usually the mycelium strands), which resulted in the growth on your lawn. Usually compost is sterilised or, much like on a compost heap, the heat created kills off any pests and diseases.

I would not worry too much because mushrooms help to decompose rotting matter and will return it as nutrients into the soil. I would pick the mushrooms (wearing gloves!) before you mow the lawn and this will help limit the spread of the spores. If you keep doing this, it should help the problem.

Good luck!

Sven